Schools Building Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004

Tuesday, 30 November 2004

Questions (406, 407)

Michael Smith

Question:

458 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the costings in respect of the extension to a school (details supplied) in County Offaly in view of the substantial shortfall in finances; and if she will increase the allocation under the pilot schools building programme to alleviate the hardship caused in this case. [31078/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

As part of the expansion of the devolved scheme for primary school building works a grant of €350,000 was sanctioned to enable the management authorities of the school in question to provide additional accommodation. The initiative allows boards of management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives boards of management control of the building project.

My Department does not intend increasing the amount of the grant offered to the school. This is because a central tenet of the devolved scheme is that the school, granted discretion and funding, must equally accept responsibility for prioritisation, control of costs, and ensuring value for money.

Michael Smith

Question:

459 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the costings in respect of the extension to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary in view of the substantial shortfall in finances; and if she will increase the allocation under the pilot schools building programme to alleviate the hardship caused in this case. [31079/04]

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

As part of the expansion of the devolved scheme for primary school building works a grant of €275,000 was sanctioned to enable the management authorities of the school in question to provide additional accommodation. The initiative allows boards of management to address their accommodation and building priorities with a guaranteed amount of funding and gives boards of management control of the building project.

My Department does not intend increasing the amount of the grant offered to the school. This is because a central tenet of the devolved scheme is that the school, granted discretion and funding, must equally accept responsibility for prioritisation, control of costs, and ensuring value for money.